WILLEMSTAD – Papiamentu-language films will take over the big screen next week as part of Siman di Kultura 2026, with a local production scheduled every evening at Caribbean Cinemas in Sambil. The special film week will also serve as a preview of the third Krioyo Film Festival, which begins in late October.
Under the theme “Di Kòrsou pa Mundu” – “From Curaçao to the World” – the initiative aims to demonstrate that Papiamentu is not only the language of everyday life, but also a language for cinema and storytelling.
The program includes feature films, short films, comedies and documentaries produced in Papiamentu. Screenings will begin each evening at 6:30 p.m.
The program starts Monday, September 28, with the drama Boka Sarantonio. On Tuesday, audiences can see the short film Brua, followed Wednesday by the comedy Hachi su number a hunga.
On Thursday, October 1, the drama Mondi ku ne will be screened, while the comedy-drama Dibina is scheduled for Friday.
Saturday’s program will feature two short films, Kofi Gratis and Roba Alma, followed by the documentary Enrico.
The Culture Week screenings are being organized through a collaboration between the Krioyo Film Festival, Caribbean Cinemas, Sambil and One&Only.
The initiative gives locally produced Papiamentu cinema a daily presence on a commercial movie screen during one of Curaçao’s main annual celebrations of culture.
The focus on local filmmaking will continue later in October with the third edition of the Krioyo Film Festival, scheduled from October 25 through November 1 at Caribbean Cinemas in Sambil.
The festival showcases Papiamentu-language productions from the ABC islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao. Filmmakers were invited to submit documentaries, short films and feature-length productions for this year’s edition.
The Krioyo Film Foundation received €15,000 from the Netherlands Film Fund in July to support the third edition. The funding was awarded under a program supporting special film activities.
The festival will once again include the Kadushi di Oro awards, recognizing achievements in categories including best feature film, short film, documentary, director, actor, actress and screenplay. An audience award will also be presented.
By holding a dedicated film week during Siman di Kultura, organizers are putting Papiamentu cinema in the spotlight almost a month before the festival itself begins, while providing Curaçao filmmakers with another platform to bring locally produced stories to a wider audience.